National Safe Boating Week

Sat 30 Sept - Friday 6 October 2023

 

Project goals

Focus on Lifejackets and their effectiveness in saving lives by promoting the following steps:

  • Lifejackets—Wearing, Self Checking and Service by Accredited Agent —

    • If you end up in the water you are much more likely to survive if you are wearing a lifejacket.

    • When accidents happen, there’s rarely time to put a lifejacket on.

    • A lifejacket only works if you’re wearing it.

    • There are many types of lifejackets available today that meet the appropriate Australian standards, find the style that works for you and wear it.

    • Lifejackets must be maintained to ensure reliable operation - this includes self-inspection and servicing by accredited agents

  • Be Able to Raise the Alarm - Carry a Distress Beacon

    • A Lifejacket only floats you while you while you organise your exit strategy

    • A Distress Beacon, (EPIRB or PLB), is a robust method to raise the alarm with rescue agencies.

    • For Solo- boaters, a PLB attached to your Lifejacket is very useful in addition to any EPIRB that may be stored in your boat.

Project lead

Safe Transport Victoria

 

Key messages

National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) is a safety initiative of Australia & New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG).

The aim of NSBW in 2023 is to highlight the importance of wearing the right type of Lifejacket and carrying out maintenance of inflatable Lifejackets to ensure reliable operation.

Whenever you are on the water everybody has a responsibility to ensure the safe operation of their boats and come home unharmed to their loved ones.

NSBW for 2023 focusses on the lifejacket:

  • Choosing the best type of Lifejacket for the chosen activity

  • How to don your lifejacket and keep it securely fitted to your body

  • How to inspect and maintain your inflatable Lifejacket

  • The importance of scheduled servicing of inflatable Lifejackets

  • Making Lifejacket wear ‘normal’ by wearing it everyday

  • Upgrades in AS4758:2022 introduce safety improvements in labelling, crotch straps/ thigh restraints, prescribed service intervals among others.

‘Wear your Lifejacket Day’

Wear your lifejacket, whatever you are doing on Friday 6 October 2023.

Post a picture of yourself wearing one to social media with the hashtags #safeboating and #wearittowork or find your local state authority on FaceBook

Resources